Toyota Tundra owners are voicing significant frustration as persistent engine problems plague the popular pickup truck, leading to a noticeable decline in the vehicle’s once-sterling reliability. Damien, a Toyota customer who purchased a 2022 Tundra, experienced firsthand the severe implications of these issues when his engine failed, causing his truck’s value to plummet by half and rendering it essentially unusable. His experience is far from isolated, highlighting a widespread problem impacting numerous Tundra owners.
As reported previously, the engine issue within the Toyota Tundra is substantial. The Japanese automaker has initiated a recall affecting over 100,000 vehicles, including 2022 and 2023 Tundra pickups and Lexus LX SUVs equipped with the V35A twin-turbo 3.4-liter V-6 engine. This is not a minor service bulletin; it’s a large-scale recall that represents a major disruption and safety concern for Tundra owners.
Toyota’s long-standing reputation for producing exceptionally reliable vehicles is now under considerable strain. This extensive engine recall for the 3.4-liter V-6 is the latest in a series of challenges confronting the automaker, raising serious questions about quality control and the brand’s future reliability.
Damien Broomes, a concerned reader and 2022 Tundra owner, shared his unsettling experience, echoing the sentiments of many other Tundra owners grappling with similar reliability issues.
Imagine driving down a busy road, your four-year-old daughter in the back seat, trusting in the safety and dependability of your Toyota Tundra. You chose this truck precisely for its reputation for safety and longevity, intending it to be a reliable vehicle for your family.
Suddenly, without warning, your truck engine abruptly loses power and stalls in the middle of traffic. You’re forced to execute an emergency maneuver to pull over, all while dealing with cars speeding past, creating a dangerous situation.
This is precisely the nightmare scenario Damien encountered.
The situation is compounded by the presence of his young daughter, who understandably becomes distressed by the sudden and alarming event. Her fear and tears only amplify the stress and danger of the situation.
In a moment of crisis, Damien had to contact his wife, arrange for her to calm and collect their daughter, and call for a tow truck to remove the disabled Tundra from the roadway. Understandably, frustration and anger surged as the reality of the situation sunk in.
This harrowing experience is Damien’s reality. Here’s his account:
“This situation is deeply concerning. I am the owner of a 2022 Toyota Tundra. Just recently, while driving on a main road at a reasonable speed, I experienced a sudden and complete loss of engine power.”
“My four-year-old daughter was in the back seat at the time. Immediately after the engine failure, I contacted the dealership, which is noteworthy because they had actually called me the week prior regarding a ‘software update’ which now seems related.”
“My primary concern was the safety of my children and myself. Initially, I hoped to mitigate the issue by trading in the affected truck for a new vehicle.”
However, Damien was met with another shock when he received the trade-in offer for his two-year-old Tundra.
“The dealership assessed my truck’s current value at a mere $35,000. This is in stark contrast to the $60,000 I paid for the vehicle just two years prior,” Damien explained, highlighting the drastic depreciation and financial loss incurred due to the engine failure.
Adding insult to injury, the Toyota dealership then proposed selling Damien a used truck for the exact same price he originally paid for his now-defective Tundra.
“Following the low trade-in offer, they attempted to sell me a pre-owned truck, also priced at $60,000,” Damien stated, expressing disbelief at the dealership’s предложения.
Faced with an undrivable truck and the urgent need for transportation, Damien is now confronted with limited and unappealing options. His wife relies on her car for her commute, leaving Damien with a critical vehicle problem. His choices are stark:
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- Sell the Tundra back to the Toyota dealer at approximately half the original purchase price, absorbing a significant financial loss.
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- Trade in the devalued truck and purchase a new vehicle, likely still at a financial disadvantage.
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- Endure an indefinite waiting period for the engine replacement, leaving him without his primary vehicle for an unknown duration.
“My fundamental question is this: Why should I bear the financial burden when the defect is clearly attributable to the manufacturer? This engine failure is not due to any fault of my own; it’s a direct consequence of Toyota’s manufacturing issue. My truck has been to the dealership repeatedly for numerous recalls and software updates. I even had to replace brake pads and rotors within two years of ownership,” Damien recounted, emphasizing his proactive maintenance and the inherent defect in the vehicle.
“Having been a loyal Toyota Tundra driver for a decade, I believe Toyota has a responsibility to its customers to rectify this situation fairly, without placing the financial burden on the owners. This current approach is simply not reflective of acceptable customer service,” Damien concluded, expressing his disappointment with Toyota’s handling of the recall.
As detailed in previous reports regarding the Toyota Tundra recall, the engine replacement process is lengthy and complex. Toyota must replace the defective engines with newly manufactured units, a procedure estimated to take between 13 to 21 hours per vehicle.
With over 100,000 engines requiring replacement, Tundra owners are facing potentially extensive delays in getting their trucks repaired and back on the road.
Tundra owners are, in effect, left “holding the bag,” experiencing significant inconvenience and financial repercussions due to Toyota’s engine defect.
As Damien’s situation poignantly illustrates, and as other Tundra owners are increasingly realizing, engine failures significantly diminish the resale value of their trucks, even before the recall repairs are performed. This devaluation adds another layer of financial strain to an already frustrating situation.
Here are further accounts from Toyota Tundra owners who have encountered similar engine-related problems:
Chris R. – Owner of a 2023 Tundra TRD Pro Hybrid: “The original engine failed at 19,500 miles. The dealership retained the vehicle for 2.5 months and replaced the short block. Three weeks and 500 miles after getting the truck back, the second engine failed. I sold it last weekend. Accept nothing less than a completely new crate engine. You have been warned.”
Mike H. – 2022 Tundra SR5 Crewmax owner: “I experienced an engine issue in early July. Driving in ‘sport mode,’ attempting to accelerate into traffic, the RPM surged to 5-6,000, and instantly the check engine light illuminated, and I lost power. Fortunately, no oncoming traffic allowed me to safely maneuver to the side of the road. After shutting off the truck for about 5 minutes and restarting, a warning message directed me to contact the dealer.”
“Since this incident, I’ve noticed intermittent ‘hiccups’ or a slight knocking sound. I’m waiting for the official recall notification from Toyota. Currently, I have no alternative but to continue driving it to and from work. I sincerely hope Toyota takes responsible action to restore their reputation by rigorously addressing quality control and preventing future occurrences.”
Walter Sysun – 2022 Toyota Tundra Platinum owner: “Excellent article! I own a 2022 Tundra Platinum, which is impacted by the engine recall. Between the engine and fuel line recalls, my truck has been out of service for nearly eight months! Based on your reporting, it could be closer to a year before it’s resolved. Toyota has denied a buyback and claims the recall doesn’t qualify under Massachusetts Lemon Law. They have provided a loaner, but it’s not comparable to my truck. Toyota cannot provide a definitive date for the engine replacement! It’s unacceptable to continue payments on a truck I can’t use, while Toyota offers minimal communication or resolution.”
Conclusion
Toyota Tundra owners like Damien are in a precarious position, burdened with trucks requiring engine replacements and facing potentially lengthy waits for dealer service appointments. The significant depreciation in their trucks’ value further compounds their frustration and financial losses.
This situation is far from ideal for Toyota and its loyal truck owners. The question arises: Is Toyota’s renowned reliability now in serious jeopardy? Some industry observers suggest its reputation is indeed declining rapidly. This concern is further amplified by issues emerging in other Toyota models, such as the Toyota Tacoma transmission problems.
One industry expert commented, “Toyota is Desperately Trying to Stop Their Brand Image From Taking a Straight Dumpster Dive, Now The Tacoma Transmissions Are Failing.”
Have you experienced engine problems with your 2022 or 2023 Toyota Tundra? Share your story in the comments below.
Image: Damien Broomes with his 2022 Toyota Tundra after experiencing engine failure.
Image: A 2022 Toyota Tundra pickup truck, representative of vehicles affected by the engine recall.
